2 Chicago-area cousins sentenced to prison in terror plot

They were accused of planning to go to U.S. war zones and kill American soldiers

July 12, 2010|By Richard A. Serrano, Tribune Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON — — Two cousins from the Chicago area were sentenced to prison Monday for providing material support to terrorists after trying to carry out a plan to secretly travel to U.S. war zones and kill American soldiers.

Zubair Ahmed and Khaleel Ahmed apologized in federal court in Toledo, Ohio, with Zubair Ahmed telling the judge that "I was caught up in world events. At that time, I was looking at U.S. troops as my enemy.''

Zubair Ahmed, 31, of North Chicago, was given 10 years in prison, while Khaleel Ahmed, 29, of Chicago, was sentenced to eight years and four months.

In a sentencing memorandum, Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman said the cousins "committed a long-term plan to engage in violent jihad on the battlefield against members of the United States military.''

The two were arrested at their homes in February 2007. Three years earlier, they traveled to Cairo and hoped eventually to get to Afghanistan or Iraq. But they returned to the U.S. after Zubair Ahmed's father learned of their intentions.